UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis joined members in Stornoway today to add his voice to their campaign against spending cuts and job losses.
Over the past two years, 200 jobs have been cut and more are on the cards as a result of the budget set by the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (the Western Isles Council) for 2013-15.
Mr Prentis, who will also be speaking at the Western Isles local government branch AGM, is urging the Comhairle to do all in its power to protect jobs and services – and to join the growing band of Living Wage employers. The Scottish Living Wage is currently set at £7.45 an hour.
Mr Prentis said that the Western Isles rely heavily on the public sector for employment, for services and for maintaining the health of the local economy.
And he told the Stornoway Gazette: “More job cuts will simply add to the misery of families affected and will do nothing to assist the economy.
“People out of work have no money to spend in the local shops and businesses, and the economy suffers as a result. All the evidence shows that there are few private sector jobs out there, apart from those that are part-time and low-paid.”
